THURSDAY GROUP is an original jazz-fusion quartet lead by New York guitarist Douglas Lichterman and featuring Clayton Englar on various saxes & flutes. They performed in the San Francisco Bay Area during the late 70's, and New York in the early 80's, and recorded two popular albums for Pathfinder Records: "Thursday Group" (1983/PTF8307/LP), and "Uncle Mean" (1988/PTF8807/LP&CD).
"...the tunes are nearly impossible to forget once heard, including the title cut, Uncle Mean. It's an up-tempo swing featuring some soulful soloing by (saxophonist) Clayton Englar." - Jazz times
"Led by Lichterman's cunning guitar style and Englar's husky sax sound, the quintet travels in daring directions." - Billboard
"Lichterman's...broad washes and jagged leads (recalling John Scofield) move closely in and around Englar's horn leads. While the pair carve out quirky, skewed pathways that both swing freely and chop abrasively, the rhythm section keeps things juiced with a twin-drum attack and a bass player that rumbles and grooves at ground level." - CMJ New Music Report
"A very well done jazz semi-fusion collection. I say semi-fusion because it avoids excess and cliche, while subtly blending swing, funk, rock and blues in a cookin' brew. Douglas Lichterman plays with a searing yet gutsy tone and...The lead is often held by saxophonist Clayton Englar, who is as exciting as all get out, especially on soprano. The rhythm section is skin tight." - Option Magazine